Happy trails to us, maybe?

Hello Bowdoinhammer.

It’s the dawn of another week. Shall we get into it?

Here are the Highlights:

• George Oliver is doing up another Dance Alinement at Merrymeeting Hall on Tuesday.

• Seeing the Forest and the Trees is a special 3-part seminar starting on Wednesday, also at Merrymeeting Hall.

• Bowdoinham Community Connections office will be open on Friday to answer all your questions.

• Saturday will be quite busy with a continuance of the Bruce Muir Exhibit at MAC, A card making workshop with Dawn Stevens, also at MAC, and a Merrymeeting Music House Concert with Antje Duvekot at Merrymeeting Hall.

There’s more information about these and other events below, so keep scrolling.

Have you heard about the Merrymeeting Trail?

This exciting project, which would transform a dormant rail corridor into a vibrant community trail, is gaining momentum in the Maine Legislature with LD 29, the Merrymeeting Trail bill. This crucial legislation would direct the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Lower Road Rail Use Advisory Council, paving the way for interim trail use while preserving the corridor for future rail.

Imagine the benefits: enhanced recreation, improved public health, and a boost to our local economy!

Now is the time to show your support. LD 29 is expected to go before the Transportation Committee soon, and a strong showing of community backing is essential. Add your name to our letter of support to demonstrate to legislators, especially those on the Transportation Committee, just how much our communities value this project and urge them to pass LD 29, turning this long-held dream into a lasting legacy.

Click here to add your name.

Bowdoinham has a rising basketball star in its midst!

Jerry, a young local athlete, recently showcased his impressive skills at the Elks Hoop Shoot competition in December. Not only did he take first place in his age division, but he also achieved the highest score of any age group, sinking an incredible 22 out of 25 shots! Jerry continued his winning streak in January, securing another first-place finish with a remarkable 67 out of 75 shots across three rounds. What an amazing accomplishment!

His talent has earned him a spot representing the State of Maine at the New England Elks Hoop Shoot Championship in March. The Elks National Free Throw Competition, has been a platform for young basketball players aged 8-13 for nearly 50 years. It offers a chance to test their free-throw skills and advance through local, district, state, regional, and national levels. Jerry, along with two other talented athletes, will now compete against the best in New England.

We're sure his parents, and the entire Bowdoinham community, couldn't be prouder of his dedication and achievements.

That reminds me... If you know of a young Bowdoinhammer, between the ages of 13 and 18 looking to participate in opportunities beyond the school environment, have them check out the Richard A Ferrier Scholarship. It's a scholarship for "the road less traveled".

This is what’s happening in Bowdoinham this week:

Monday, February 3rd

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

Tuesday, February 4th

• Merrymeeting Dance Alinement, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. For more information, or to be added to their Newsletter, email George Oliver at [email protected].

Wednesday, February 5th

• Bridge, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - NOON. FMI: Judy Gray, 666-3025. The group welcomes all players. Current players range from high-scoring duplicate players to seniors who played in college and newbies who have taken a class.

• Bowdoinham Food Pantry OPEN, Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.), 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. For all residents of Bowdoinham and Bowdoin. Building community, with food. NO income verification. FMI: (207) 751-7779. Shop there first.

• Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School Gym (23 Cemetery Rd.), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

• Seeing the Forest and the Trees, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. A three-part seminar hosted by the Comprehensive Planning Committee. Part 2: Trees in Your Community. Topics include trees on public land, utility pruning, tree laws, and historic trees.

Thursday, February 6th_

• Cribbage hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - NOON.

Friday, February 7th

• Bowdoinham Community Connections Office hours, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), Noon - 2:00 PM. Pop in to see what the BCC is about! Know someone who needs assistance? Click here.

Saturday, February 8th

• Visit/Volunteer/Donate/Shop at the Bowdoinham Gift Shop, Recycling Barn (243 Post Rd.), 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Clean and FREE curated household items, clothes, and toys are available; donations and volunteers are welcome to support this community resource and reduce waste. Contributions are accepted inside and returnable beverage containers may be dropped off in the window near the road at any time.

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

• Bruce Muir Exhibit - Local Myths, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

• Card Making Workshop with Dawn Stevens, Merrymeeting Arts Center (9 Main St.), 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Join Dawn Stevens for an afternoon making greeting cards. You will leave with two cards and envelopes. All materials will be supplied. $20 pre-registration required.

• Merrymeeting Music House Concerts presents: Antje Duvekot, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), Potluck (optional) 5:30 PM. Showtime 7:00 PM. There will be a $20 suggested cash donation (100% goes to the artist). Please RSVP. If you would like a heads-up before their other concerts, shoot an email to [email protected] and say something like “I'm tired of singing in the shower to entertain myself. Bowdoinhammer told me to get on your Newsletter so I know when cool music is in town!”.

Sunday, February 9th

• Sunday Service, Bowdoinham Second Baptist (1 Church St.), 9:30 AM.

• Sunday School/Service, Bowdoinham Church of the Nazarene (7 School St.), 10:00 AM, Service 11:00 AM.

• FREE swimming, LeRoy Greason Pool (Bowdoin College, 35 Watson Dr, Brunswick), 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. For ALL ages and residents of MSAD 75. Runs January 12th through April 6th.

(These events may change or cancel without notice)

Next Week: Pub Trivia (probably?), Select Board meeting, Community Store Town Discussion, more Seeing the Forest and the Trees, Age-Friendly Bowdoinham Luncheon, and Valentine’s Day.

That’s enough for this week Bowdoinhammer. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Be nice to yourself.

Love,

Rodney

❤️